Reception of Soft and Sharp Powers: Turkey’s Civilizational Populist TV Dramas in Pakistan

Yilmaz, Ihsan; Shakil, Kainat

This book examines the projection of soft and sharp powers through the Turkish civilizational populist TV series "Resurrection: Ertugrul" and its reception in Pakistan. By analyzing the content of the series, elite responses, interviews with ordinary Pakistanis, and Pakistani cyberspace, the book argues that beyond soft power, the show exerts Turkey’s sharp power transnationally, through themes of authoritarianism, violence, warfare, desire for killing and dying, Islamist collective victimhood, conspiracy theories and anti-Christian sentiments. The book contributes to the literatures on sharp power, populism, and authoritarianism.

Details

Published by: Palgrave Macmillan

Publication Date: 2026-01-08

Format: Paperback

ISBN-13: 9789819793082

DOI: 10.1007/978-981-97-9306-8

Dimensions: 210cm x148cm

Pages: 221